Ball



Aug. 10,1926.

S. F. ZENGER BALL 0 Fi1e 1 Nv. .18, 1925 Patented Aug. l0, i926.

unirse sri-Ares srMoN r. ZENGER, or COVINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

'BAIL-L.

Application filed November This invention relates to toys and more particularly to a ball ot the hollow rubber type intended to 'be thrown from one `perso to another.

One object of the invention is to provide a ball having sound-producing means associated therewith which may be caused to be actuated as the ball is thrown from one person to another. f

Another object ol the invention is to permit the sound-producing means to be almost entirely enclosed within the hollowI body of the ball where it will be protected lfrom in- ]ury.

Another object of the'invention is to so mount the sound-producing means that an inilatable air container constituting a portion thereof may be inflated through the medium of a tube projecting externally of the ball and serving not only as an inflating tube but also as a carrier for an air actuated sound wave producing element.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the sound-producing means that the tube and air container engaged therewith may be readily passed inwardly through an opening formed in the ball and lirmly held in place by rictional engagement between the tube and the body of the ball.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of the improved ball;

F ig. 2 is a sectional view taken diametrically through the ball with the bladder of the sound-producing means shown in longitudinal section and the remainder of the sound-producing means in elevation, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3 8 ol Fig. 2.

rThe ball 1 which may be termed the hollow body of the toy is formed of rubber and is provided with an opening 2 and with a second opening 3 which is Very small when f compared to the opening 2 and serves as a vent through which air may pass out of the body 1. The opening 3 may be locatedin opposed relation to the opening 2 if so desired and it found expedient additionalvent openings may be provided.

When the ball is thrown from one person to another, it is desired to have a sound emitted. In order to do so, there has been provided sound-producing means which inchicles an inflatable bladder' or airY container 4. also formed of rubber.

The rubber from 18, 1925. Serial No. 69,'860.

which the air container'is formed is, however, thinner than the ball l so that it can be readily distended when vair is blown into it. This air container lis provided with an elongated neck 5 having its' outer end portion rolled to provide a bead 6. Thefouter fore, the neck must be expan'dedwhen drawn l into engagement with the tube. The bore 8 of the tube tapers trom lits inner end towards its outer end, as shown in Fig. 3, and the inner and outer end faces of the tube are concave, as shown at 9 and 10. The outer end portion of the tube is tapered so/that it may be conveniently engaged between the lips and air blown through the bore 8 to inflate the bladder or air receptacle 1. As the receptacle is inflated, it is gradually expanded so that it has close contacting engagement with the inner surface of the ball or hollow body 1, the air which normally fills the body being forced out through the vent opening or openings 3. After the air container has been inflated, one linger is placed over the outer end of the tube if it is not desired to have the air escape until the ball is actually thrown. lIt will be readily understood that as soon as the ball leaves the hand the air will be forced outwardly through the tube as the bladder contracts and returns to its normal dimensions.

A narrow elastic strip 11 extends diametrically across the inner end or" the tube and has its end portions brought forwardly and secured in a groove 12 formed circumferentially oi the tube by means of a fastener 13 which may be a rubber band or consist of a piece of thread or cord wrapped about the tube within the groove and having its ends tied. The portion of the strip 11 which extends across the inner end of the tube is held out of sealing engagement with the inner end of the bore 8 due to the fact that the inner end of the tube is concave and this portion of the elastic strip will be caused to vibrate as the air is forced outwardly from the bladder a through the neck 5 and air passage or bore S. The vibrations of the strip 11 will, of course, increase as the air moves outwardly through the bore 8 and'flared mouth 10 and cause a sound to be produced until all of the air has escaped. If the persons throwing the ball from one to another stand the proper distance apart, the sound emitted will continue for the entire time the ball is in the air. It will, ot course, be obvious that it so desired the bladder may be inated and the air permitted to escape while the ball is still held in the hand.

Having thus described the invention, l claim:

l. A toy comprising a hollow ball formed with an opening, an inflatable air container in said ball and formed with an opening, a tube held in the opening or" said container and projecting externally ot said ball through its opening and constituting a con duit for the passage of air into and out of said container, and sound-producing means carried by said tube and actuated by air passing outwardly 'from said container.

2. A toy comprising a hollow ball formed within an opening, an inflatable air container in said ball and provided with a neck open at its outer end, a tube secured in the outer end portion of said neck and projecting externally of the ball through'the opening formed therein and constituting a conduit for the passage of air into and out of said container, and sound-producing means carried by said tube and actuated by air passing outwardly from said container.

3. A toy comprising a hollow resilient ball formed with an opening, an inflatable air container in said ball and provided with a neck open at its outer end, a tube formed with a longitudinally7 extending bore, the outer end portion of the neck of said container having close fitting engagement about the inner end portion of said tube, said tube and the outer end portion of said neck being projected outwardly through the opening in said ball and the walls of the ball having close vfitting engagement about the neck to retain the neck and tube in place, and sound producing means carried by said tube and actuated by air passing outwardly through the tube from said air container.

ln testimony whereof I ax my signature.

sinon r. annees. [L s] 

